Minutes of Meeting – June 26, 2013; meeting called to order at 6:30pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche; John McNinch.
Chief Clifford came before the Board and gave a brief presentation on the Code Red Service which he is recommending that the Town purchase. He explained that for a cost of $4320 a year, the Town would receive 10,000 minutes to be used to notify residents of any impending emergency. Currently, through the Sheriff’s Department, it takes up to three hours to notify everyone; with the Code Red Service, all residents would be notified in less than ten minutes. This service could be used for other, non-emergency reasons too. In the event of an emergency, the Town would be reimbursed the amount of minutes used. 10,000 minutes would allow approximately three notices to be announced.
Clark Rowell from Unibank, our bond advisor, and Treasurer Marie Duby gave the Board a briefing on what bonds they are recommending for refinancing, and what the rates are doing. They are recommending refunding several of our current bonds, to be sold on August 20. He will keep the Board informed as this refunding option moves along in the process.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Carolyn Barry questioned the various Farmer’s Market signs located around town. The Board explained that none of them are on Town land and therefore they have no control over them.
MOTION by CG, seconded by EL to accept the Minutes of June 12 and 17. 5/0 vote on June 12 and 4/0 vote on June 17 with CG abstaining.
Transfer of A/A Package Store License, O’Brien’s Market: The Clerk read the notice as it appeared in The Eagle. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to open the public hearing. 5/0 vote. Attorney Nicholas Parsenios appeared before the Board to answer any questions regarding this transfer. He explained that there will be no changes made to the operation except that only W&M will be sold. Attorney Howard Wayne, attorney for Price Chopper, spoke in favor of this transfer. Joe Nejaime stated that he feels it is better to have these licenses under local management. He stated that a precedent was set in the 1980’s when two businesses wished to “swap” licenses and it was not allowed. He asked that these comments be considered during the Price Chopper hearing as well. DR
stated that Price Chopper is a valuable asset to the community, and have never had a violation against their license. KF sees no problem with what is being asked to occur. He feels that the alcohol will be more secure at Price Chopper. DR explained that the ABCC has the final say if this is legal or not. MOTION by JM, seconded by KF to close the public hearing. 5/0 vote. MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to approve of the transfer of the A/A Package Store License currently held by O’Brien’s Market to Price Chopper. 5/0 vote.
Transfer of W&M Package Store License, Price Chopper: The Clerk read the notice as it appeared in The Eagle. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to open the public hearing. 5/0 vote. Attorney Howard Wayne, representing Price Chopper, appeared before the Board to answer any questions regarding this transfer. Store Manager Jim Collins was also present. Attorney Wayne stated that Price Chopper is very community-oriented and will only have a 44’ aisle for the alcohol. Following a brief discussion, MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to close the public hearing. 5/0 vote. MOTION by KF seconded by CG to approve of the transfer of the W&M Package Store License currently held by Price Chopper to O’Brien’s Market. 5/0 vote. At this point, MOTION by KF, seconded by EL to
take a five minute recess. 5/0 vote. (CG asked that the Minutes reflect that MED spoke with Executive Director Ralph Sacramone from the ABCC who stated that these two applications were legal as submitted.)
Senior Tax Work-Off Program: Community Center Director Kim Graham and Senior Tax Work-Off Coordinator Cathy May appeared before the Board seeking to increase the maximum tax credit available to earn from $750 to $1000. Currently, individuals may work up to 94 hours at $8/hour, this would change to 125 hours at $8/hour. There are currently 15 slots available, with 11 active. MOTION by EL, seconded by KF to increase the amount available to earn as part of the Senior Tax Work-Off Program to $1000 annually with fifteen slots available. 5/0 vote. EL asked that an announcement be placed on the web site, seeking participants.
Marketing Proposal: CG stated that this item will be postponed until the July 10 BOS meeting.
Cable Contract: DR stated that he would personally rather not sign this contract, but can’t justify incurring legal expenses to fight it. He stressed that we need a town representative on the Cable Advisory Board. George Jordan would like to see the Board not sign the contract. He has issues with the elimination of the option to pay upfront and receive one free month. In addition, he would like to see different language regarding how far the cable company is willing to install cable at their expense. MOTION by CG, seconded by EL to approve the cable contract as written. 5/0 vote.
MOTION by CG, seconded by El to approve a 5-year contract with CTSB-TV as presented. 5/0 vote.
DR gave a brief explanation of the Code Red Service which the Fire Chief had given to the Board earlier in the evening. He explained that residents will be able to go on the website and include their cell phone numbers, e-mails, etc., as well as a house phone number. MOTION by JM, seconded by CG to approve a 3-year contract for Code Red Services for 10,000 minutes as presented, and to authorize the TM to sign a contract for same. 5/0 vote.
Consent Agenda: DR went through each item on the Consent Agenda, asking if any items needed a Hold placed on it. A hold was placed on a one-day A/A license request by Dr. Leon Harris and on the approval of three union contracts and the chief contracts. DR explained that he wanted to say how realistic the unions were in negotiating. MOTION by KF, seconded by CG to approve the Police, Fire and DPW union contracts as presented. 5/0 vote. JM asked for clarification on the chiefs contracts. MED explained that these contracts were merely updating the salaries; everything else stays the same. MOTION by JM, seconded by KF to approve the contracts for the police and fire chief as presented. 5/0 vote. The Board asked for a clarification on the one-day A/A license request for a wedding at The
Mount. MED explained that it will be located in an area not currently licensed. MOTION by CG, seconded by EL to approve a one-day A/A license to Dr. Leon Harris for 7/6 from 3pm-midnight on the lawn area by the stables only at The Mount. 5/0 vote. MOTION by CG, seconded by KF to approve of the consent agenda items as presented: Approve a One-Day W&M license to the Lenox VFW for August 24, 2013 from 5-8pm at St. Ann Parish Center; a one-day A/A license to MA Audubon for 7/20 from 6-11pm at Pleasant Valley Sanctuary; a Common Victuallers and Entertainment License to Jae’s Asian Bistro as presented; a sandwich board sign to RW Wise, Goldsmith as presented; three reserve fund transfers, $4820 from the Reserve Fund to pay for retiree benefits, $5000 from the Planning Board to the Assessors for retiree benefits, and $3100 from Snow & Ice for retiree benefits, fire department salaries and repairs. 5/0 vote.
BOS Reports: JM stated that he would like to move forward with the creation of a P&R Committee and asked that it be placed on the July 10 agenda. He asked that an announcement seeking interested members be placed on our website. CG stated that the Environmental Committee needs an appointment, and that he would like to make an appointment at the July 10 meeting. He stated that so far 147 residential building permits and 80 commercial permits have been pulled. EL stated that the Community Center summer programs have begun. The DPW has started paving, and the municipal parking lot will be receiving lighting prior to being paved. The Board thanked everyone for their assistance with the car show. KF stated that it will occur again next year on Father’s Day weekend. He also mentioned the
Concerts in the Park which are held each Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 in Lilac Park for ten weeks. DR mentioned that Cris Roberts from the Assessors Office and Gary Lagarce from the Police Department are retiring at the end of the month after over 30 years of service from them both.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Interim Town Manager Board of Selectmen
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